For companies who use abrasive blasting, ventilation must be of key concern. This is partially because OSHA aggressively regulates and monitors it through Standard 1910.94, and partially because abrasive blasting is so dangerous to your employees. Luckily, if you follow the guidelines set forth in Standard 1910.94, you and your employees should be safe from harm.

This standard covers a lot. It covers the full operation from beginning to end, as well as all ventilation parameters, including air purification methods, minimum exhaust obligations, personal protective equipment, and a whole host of other specific details based upon the type of blasting and the abrasive used.

When analyzing your work environment, it is important to start by looking at the location where you are blasting. Is it large enough for the type of blasting you plan to do? Does it have access to adequate ventilation, and if not can the ventilation systems be added? Is there access to external exhaust systems? Once you have ensured that these answers are properly answered (meaning they all meet OSHA’s requirements), you can begin to think about the actual blasting you are doing. Are you doing the blasting you started doing, or have you changed along the way? If you have changed, you need to consider what changed, was it the method or the abrasive, and what steps have since been taken to ensure the area is safe.

After the blasting and the location are well in hand, you can finally consider your purification methods. This can be through proper personal protective equipment for some types of blasting, or through dust collectors and heavy duty exhaust systems for others. Ensure you have the correct plan in place and that it is being followed by your employees through appropriate training.

If you have any questions about this process, or if you would like an accurate audit of your practices, please contact us. And if you have anything to add about ensuring adequate ventilation for abrasive blasting, please leave a comment.